13:25 Fakenham

Wednesday 1 January 2025

All11:4512:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:10

Betting Better With Sky Bet Mares' Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:26 | Winning time: 6m 43.62s

Malago Rose^p³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 94| BF

2/1

Produced a career best in first-time cheekpieces to open account in 12-runner handicap hurdle at Southwell (24.3f, soft) in June. However, she hasn't managed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts, beaten a fair way when fifth of 10 on return/debut for new yard at Ludlow.

Form: 334-155

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Hurst Hill²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 91

9/1

Placed in a couple of mares' novice events at Newton Abbot during the summer (both at around 17f) and produced much her best effort since switched to handicaps when third over 21.8f at Fontwell last month. Possibilities if able to build on that off the same mark here.

Form: 3369U3

Barra Blue³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 91

15/8

Promise on first of 2 starts in bumpers and, as the market suggested she would (sent off at 11/8), she left her maiden form in this sphere well behind when making a winning handicap debut at Leicester (20.5f, heavy). 6 lb rise tolerable and there could be more to come.

Form: 34-6991

Lady's Present^h¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond| T: P A Kirby| OR: 80

8/1

Lightly-raced maiden who looked all at sea a long way out back from almost 2 years off at Carlisle in October. However, she showed the benefit of that pipe-opener when fourth of 13 at Catterick (19.3f, good) last month and will be a threat if able to at least reproduce that form.

Form: 4403/P4

Regally Blonde^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 79

12/1

Fairly useful Flat winner in Ireland but yet to match that level over hurdles. No show back on the level in first-time blinkers (discarded here; cheekpieces refitted) at Wolverhampton recently and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 687-4P4

Extra Cover²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C Gethings| T: H D Daly| OR: 79

12/1

Hasn't offered much in a bumper nor 4 starts over hurdles, most recently pulled up early on when upped to 3m for her handicap debut at Ludlow.

Form: 488-9P

Misting²⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 79

16/1

Little promise in bumpers and similar story over hurdles so far. Readily passed over.

Form: 00-657P

Non-Runners

Lady Harriett¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: P & M Bowen J: Shane Fenelon

Forecasts

Barra Blue (15/8), Malago Rose (2/1), Lady Harriett (6/1), Lady's Present (8/1), Hurst Hill (9/1), Regally Blonde (12/1), Extra Cover (12/1), Misting (16/1)

Having improved when scoring on her handicap bow at Leicester, BARRA BLUE is taken to follow up here with a 6 lb rise in the weights unlikely to be enough to stop in her tracks. Lady's Present showed some spark on her second run following a lengthy absence and she is second choice ahead of Hurst Hill and Malago Rose.